CHAPTER 463
STATE OF DELAWARE
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
PROCLAMATION
This year will mark the 75th anniversary of the first official observance of Arbor Day. Born of a lack of trees for wood, shelter and their other attributes on the treeless plains of Nebraska, and inaugurated in 1872 by the planting of nearly a million trees, its observance has since been adopted in every state of the Nation and several foreign countries.
In this State its official observance for a period of 45 years, and unofficially for a longer period, has served most nobly its primary objective of fostering active public interest among all age groups in tree and shrub planting for utility, protection, comfort and beauty.
Broad application of the objectives of Arbor Day directs our attention to the protection, improvement and expansion, and wise use of our forest resources along with our fruit, nut, and ornamental tree and shrub culture. Realizing that singularly it is an observance which looks more to the present and the future than to the past, and consequently of greater interest and benefit to youth, its observance in schools and educational institutions of our State becomes of paramount importance.
NOW, THEREFORE, in compliance with the provisions of the laws of this State, I, Walter W. Bacon, Governor of the State of Delaware, do designate and set apart March 28, 1947, as
and urge its observance by the planting of trees, shrubs and plants on both public and private lands so that there may be improved utility of our soil resources, that our surroundings may be made more attractive and that our people may benefit by the beauty and utility they impart.
institutions, by organizations and individuals through appropriate exercises having as their purpose the advancement of the study of the culture of trees and shrubs and the protection of birds for their beneficial effects on our economy, and that there may be realized a fuller appreciation of the contribution these things make to our individual and collective well-being.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I, Walter W. Bacon, Governor of the State of Delaware, have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of Delaware to be hereunto affixed this twenty-fourth day of
(GREAT SEAL) March in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and forty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and seventy-first.